@max:> Amazon still hasn't actually made a profit -- they have a huge turnover but they spend it as soon as they get it...

It's not exactly that. Amazon has benefited greatly from the online tax loophole. While it has benefited cusomers with lower prices - it's still surely not according to the spirit of the law. And there also use various tax shelters to prevent from paying taxes - again using a loophole.

So some analysis of the business claims that without all those tax benefits , there's no big cost/efficiency advantage for amazon over regular retailers who do ecomerce.

Now that those loopholes are closing, their situation is a bit more difficult - higher prices than competitiors and amazon is losing money.It would be interesting to see how amazon navigates itself , especially with competition over walmart.

Accountants are different. A well-known taxation authority once had rules (maybe it still does) for paying quarterly estimated taxes. Basically gaze into your xtal ball and make an estimate of what you will earn by year end, then part of the calculation involves multiplying by a factor with 4 decimal places of significant figures. Only an accountant could come up with this sort of accuracy.

Of course Amazon does have a smart idea and to 1 significant decimal place.

In conjunction with unveiling of EE Times’ Silicon 60 list, journalist & Silicon 60 researcher Peter Clarke hosts a conversation on startups in the electronics industry. One of Silicon Valley's great contributions to the world has been the demonstration of how the application of entrepreneurship and venture capital to electronics and semiconductor hardware can create wealth with developments in semiconductors, displays, design automation, MEMS and across the breadth of hardware developments. But in recent years concerns have been raised that traditional venture capital has turned its back on hardware-related startups in favor of software and Internet applications and services. Panelists from incubators join Peter Clarke in debate.